5A Tournament Second-Round Preview and Predictions: Jim Baggot Region
Some of the more dangerous teams without first-round byes in the Class 5A playoffs reside in the Jim Baggot Region, so this quadrant has bracket-busting potential. Below we break down each second-round matchup: No. 9 Highlands Ranch (11-13) at No.…
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Continue ReadingSome of the more dangerous teams without first-round byes in the Class 5A playoffs reside in the Jim Baggot Region, so this quadrant has bracket-busting potential.
Below we break down each second-round matchup:
No. 9 Highlands Ranch (11-13) at No. 1 Eaglecrest (21-2), 4 p.m.
The Scoop: The Falcons were the only road team to win in the opening round, cruising to a 28-18 halftime lead and 59-53 victory at eighth-seeded Monarch. Highlands Ranch has a solid backcourt tandem of Tyson Gilbert and Jack Fiddler. Meanwhile, Eaglecrest, a top seed, has a serious contender for Mr. Basketball in Colbey Ross, along with a number of other quick guards who defend and play sound.
Players to watch
Highlands Ranch
Gilbert, 5-10 sophomore point guard. Gilbert is a shot-maker, 42 percent from downtown and 12.7 ppg is evidence of that, and he’ll be a cornerstone piece for the program for the next few years.
Fiddler, 6-4 senior guard. Fiddler could certainly help a D-III program on the court (11.6 ppg, 11 rpg), and his work in the classroom would make him a solid fit.
Eaglecrest
Ross, 6-1 junior guard. This is Ross’ team. The future D-I recruit understands tempo, can change speeds, has a wonderful feel on offense, and has one of the best skill sets in Colorado. He’s averaging 18.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.8 steals, while shooting 49 percent from the field, 38 percent from three, and 83 percent from the line. He’s sitting at No. 2 in our 2017 rankings.
Victor Garnes, 6-0 sophomore guard. An Eaglecrest team that graduated an excellent senior class in 2015, a group that led the Raptors to the Final Four a season ago, needed to find productive new players to complement returners like Colbey Ross and 6-foot-5 junior Nate Bokol. Garnes loves to push the pace, can put the ball in the bucket (9.1 ppg), and wreaks havoc defensively.
Prediction: Eaglecrest
No. 5 Denver East (16-8) at No. 4 Grand Junction (17-6), 1 p.m.
The Scoop: The Angels might be the top contender among teams without first-round byes. They eased past Hinkley by 31 to start the tournament and their overall talent and depth can go head-to-head with anyone’s. Grand Junction, the Southwestern League champion, has a senior-laden group. Robi Powers has been a big boost to the lineup after transferring from Steamboat Springs.
Players to watch
Denver East
Jack Buckmelter, 6-2 senior guard. Buckmelter led the team with 23 points against Hinkley. He’s been on a recent hot streak while tallying 22+ points in four of the last six games. He also had seven assists, four rebounds and four steals against the Thunderbirds.
Daytone Jennings, 6-8 senior forward. Jennings was a stat-stuffer in the playoff opener as well, accounting for 18 points, 8 rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Grand Junction
Powers, 6-2 senior guard. Powers has been a star in the backcourt for the Tigers, averaging 14 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He’s a capable sidekick to fellow senior guard Jake Wilcox (15.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg).
Ben Rasmussen, 6-8 senior forward. A talented defender on the perimeter despite his size, according to Matt Meyer of the Grand Junction Sentinel, Rasmussen might be pulled outside by Jennings. He’s kicking in 11.8 ppg and seven rpg.
Prediction: Denver East
No. 7 Fort Collins (16-8) at No. 2 Regis Jesuit (20-3), 6 p.m.
The Scoop: Collins blitzed Fruita Monument 61-34 in a 7/10 matchup. They enter a road test at Regis on a three-game winning streak. This is a team mostly comprised of juniors. The Raiders play sound basketball as teams have to beat them, they don’t beat themselves. Regis is one of the more solid teams in the field.
Players to watch
Fort Collins.
Iseri Palacio, 5-10 junior point guard. Palacio contributed in a number of fashions against Fruita with nine points, eight assists, six steals and four rebounds.
Brian Read, 6-6 junior forward. Read had a big game against a Wildcat team with 6-foot-8 Air Force signee Javen Gumber, along with 6-foot-6 sophomore Trey Morrill. The Lambkin forward posted 19 points and seven rebounds.
Regis Jesuit
Geoff Kelly, 6-5 senior forward. Kelly has D-II upside as a two-way talent averaging 12.7 points and five rebounds. His versatility stands out.
Elijah Martinez, 5-10 sophomore guard. Martinez, a top-12 prospect in 2018, can knife his way to the hoop and shoot the ball with consistency. He’s averaging eight points.
Prediction: Regis Jesuit
No. 6 Mountain Vista (16-8) at No. 3 Dakota Ridge (16-7), 1 p.m.
The Scoop: Junior point guard Isaac Essien returned from injury in a 74-64 victory over Fairview. He helps solidify Vista’s standing as a Cinderella team for a No. 6 seed. Dakota Ridge was the 5A Jeffco runner-up to Chatfield, and they tend to grind opponents down.
Players to watch
Mountain Vista
Jake Belknapp, 6-8 junior forward. Going head-to-head with Fairview 6-foot-10 senior Frank Ryder, Belknapp had a near 20-10 game with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Isaac Essien, 6-0 junior point guard. Essien was a catalyst against the Knights with 15 points and 10 assists.
Dakota Ridge
Tyler McFarland, 6-3 senior guard/forward. The No. 66 prospect in 2016, McFarland is a skilled lefty who has buried 52 three-pointers. He tends to hit big shots and averages 14.3 points.
Devante Jones, 6-4 senior forward. Jones is an athletic player for the Eagles, averaging 13.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks.
Prediction: Mountain Vista